Chicago fishing, Midwest Fishing Report: Coho, bluegill, largemouth & catfish for holiday weekend

Bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass are going on inland waters around Chicago fishing while smallmouth bass, catfish and walleye are the draws on area rivers as are coho on Lake Michigan; those three strands lead this sprawling raw-fie Midwest Fishing Report.

SHARE Chicago fishing, Midwest Fishing Report: Coho, bluegill, largemouth & catfish for holiday weekend
Allison McTauge with a a 21.6-pound pound Chinook and her father Tom McTauge and Capt. “Crabby” Bill.  Provided photo

Allison McTauge with a a 21.6-pound pound Chinook and her father Tom McTauge and Capt. “Crabby” Bill.

Provided

Bluegill, catfish and largemouth bass are going on inland waters around Chicago fishing while smallmouth bass, catfish and walleye are the draws on area rivers as are coho on Lake Michigan; those three strands lead this sprawling raw-fie Midwest Fishing Report.

Allison McTauge sent the photo above of a 21.6-pound pound Chinook caught off Evanston in 101 feet with her father Tom McTauge and Capt. “Crabby” Bill.

When I asked for details, I got this (which made my day):

Tom (recently retired ace macanic) McTauge... Capt .crabby Bill...no 1 knows? . . . Stay masked. Mini

CHICAGO FISHING PARKING PASSES

The parking passes for the fisherman’s parking lots are not being sold while the lakefront remains officially closed.

ILLINOIS RIVER LOCKS

Beginning Wednesday, July 1, closures are set for the Dresden Island, Marseilles, Starved Rock, Peoria and LaGrange locks on the Illinois River to facilitate major repairs.

Here are the two lead paragraphs from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

ROCK ISLAND, Illinois – Beginning July 1, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is temporarily closing the Dresden Island, Marseilles, Starved Rock, Peoria and LaGrange locks on the Illinois Waterway to facilitate needed repairs and maintenance. The closures, which will be conducted simultaneously to limit impacts to navigation, are scheduled to last through late October. During the closures, no vessels will be able to pass through the closed locks. Navigation on the rest of the river, between the locks, will be able to continue without impact as water levels will be maintained at a normal level throughout the season.

Click here for details on the timing and other details on the closures.

ILLINOIS FROGGING

Bullfrog-only season runs through Oct. 15 in Illinois. Daily bag is eight.

A couple key notes from the Illinois DNR:

A sport fishing license is required to harvest bullfrogs. Bullfrogs may be taken by hook and line, gig, pitchfork, spear, bow and arrow, hand, or landing net. No person shall harvest bullfrogs or any other reptile or amphibian by commercial fishing devices, including, hoop nets, traps or seines or by the use of firearms, air guns or gas guns or during bowfishing tournaments.

AREA LAKES

It’s the Fourth of July weekend and right on time the top bites are largemouth bass and bluegill.

Panfish at Monee Reservoir. Provided photo

Panfish at Monee Reservoir.

Provided

Larry Jennings messaged the photo above and this:

I want to perch Fish Lake Michigan, but If Monee Reservoir continues-to Produce like this , Oooh Well

Speaking of Monee Reservoir, the Forest Preserve District of Will County has started the Monee Reservoir Big Fish Contest again. You need to be 16 and older and it runs through Aug. 31. Click here for details.

Ken “Husker” O’Malley emailed:

Hey Dale, Here is a recap of this past weeks fishing. Area lakes-The evening bite continues to be the best options over morning hours. Shallow running cranks, senkos, frogs, and poppers have all produce good numbers. . . . TTYL — Ken Husker O’Malley Husker Outdoors Waterwerks fishing team

Pete Lamar emailed:

Hi Dale, . . . Fox tribs were slightly elevated and muddy-fly fishing would’ve been a waste of time-so I’ve stuck to local ponds and lakes. I had success with cricket and adult damselfly patterns; I was targeting bluegills, but the bass seemed to like them too. Things had slowed down a bit by Sunday, after several successive days of high heat and humidity. Any upcoming outings will be in the rain or after dark-direct sunlight hasn’t been helpful in the recent high temperatures. Pete

Considering the forecast, his final suggestion is a good one.

BRAIDWOOD LAKE

Dwyane Armstrong with a big blue catfish caught at Braidwood Lake. Provided by BoRabb Williams

Dwyane Armstrong with a big blue catfish caught at Braidwood Lake.

Provided by BoRabb Williams

BoRabb Williams tagged me from a Sunday outing, including the photo above:

Dale Bowman... I threw Back 5 Twenty Plus pound Blue catfish.... we only kept 4 eaters plus a Bonus Hybrid Stripped Bass

The cooling lake in the southwest corner of Will County is open daily 6 a.m. to sunset.

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA

Bill Calvert caught and released a big muskie on the Chain O’Lakes while fishing with Capt. Joe Kieser of Musky Mob. Photo provided by Capt. Joe Kieser

Bill Calvert caught and released a big muskie on the Chain O’Lakes while fishing with Capt. Joe Kieser of Musky Mob.

Photo provided by Capt. Joe Kieser

Bill Calvert emailed the photo above and this:

Hi Mr. Bowman I wanted to get out of the house and do some fishing. I was lucky, on short notice, I was able set up an evening trip with Capt. Joe Kieser of Musky Mob on the Fox Lake Chain (Thursday 6-25-20). About 15 minutes after Capt. Joe had the baits set we had the only hook up of the evening. When the trip started I was looking forward to getting some fresh air and maybe hooking into a Musky. I was not expecting to hook into a 45 incher, what a beautiful fish. Photo taken be Capt. Joe

He added:

Hi Mr. Bowman Just wanted to add, after a quick measurement and pictures the Musky was successfully released. Bill Calvert

Proprietor Greg Dickson at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said catfish are a top bite on crawlers, leeches and prepared baits; some nice pike around areas with panfish; bass in summer patterns on weed edges and main lake areas; find the shade, you should find bluegill; try drifting for crappie; look for moving water for walleye.

NOTE: Check updates on water conditions at foxwaterway.com or (847) 587-8540.

NOTE 2: The Stratton Lock and Dam is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, operating Wednesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to midnight.

CHICAGO RIVER

Waiting on the Riverwalk to officially be opened. Otherwise, Jeffrey Williams said action has been slow.

DELAVAN LAKE, WISCONSIN

Delavan Lake action Tuesday. Photo provided by Rob Abouchar

Delavan Lake action Tuesday.

Provided by Rob Abouchar

Rob Abouchar messaged the photo above and this report around noon today:

Hi Dale im out on Delavan and the weedline bite has started. Fishing with Jim the wing king Schultz from Frank’s for the Memories. Largemouth Bass hittingvweighted wacky worms and topwater early. Spectacular conditions and a good bite going.

Dave Duwe emailed:

Delavan Lake 6/29/20 through 7/6/20 Fishing on the lake continues to be excellent. The weather has finally warmed the water and turned on most of the game fish. The lake continues to be very busy and most anglers have been successful. Walleye Pike is the hottest species right now. Most of the success is coming from leeches either fished on a light lindy rig or small jig. The best depth of water has been the 18-20 ft. range. By far the best spot has been by the Yacht club or by the Village Supper club. Another very productive method for me has been casting medium diving crank baits down the weed line. Fire tiger has been the best pattern. Bluegills are still being caught. Most of the big bluegills I caught last week were in 15 ft. of water. I got most of these while trying for Walleyes. The deeper bluegills have been in the 15-20 ft. range. Assembly Park or in front of the Delavan Lake Marina on the north shore seemed the most productive spots to me. Now that hellgrammites are available they are the bait of choice. You can fish them either with a slip bobber or straight line beneath the boat both are effective. Some of the fish are still in the 4-6 ft depth range. Their concentration is lower than last week. Largemouth bass fishing continues to be excellent. On bright sunny days the slop bite seems to be the best presentation. The other alternative is casting shoreline structure with top water lures, like a chug bug or a Pop/R. The best color has been chrome and black or chrome and blue. Last week, I caught several nice large mouths on the outside of the weed lines drifting live night crawlers. The best depth was 15-16 feet of water; the bass were associating with weeds on the break. Northern pike are on the weed lines. They are starting to move into the deeper water. By the end of this week they should be easily caught by lindy rigs. The best depth to catch them now is in the 12-15 ft. range. The easiest way is to cast large deep diving crank bait. I like the large perch colored Wally Diver. I fish all my crank baits on single strand stainless steel. The leader length is only 4-6 inches. The small leader has saved a lot of my baits from being bitten off. The best location has been by the gray condos and by the Yacht Club fished to the west. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July. For guide parties please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063.

DOWNSTATE

HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Here is the word from The Wetlands Initiative:

Paddling and Fishing at the Dixon Refuge Hennepin & Hopper Lakes are now open for summer paddling and fishing! The opening was delayed this year because of COVID-19 but you still have plenty of time to enjoy the lakes before the season ends on September 7. As usual, the lakes are closed on Mondays during the summer season except for Labor Day. For all other paddling and fishing rules, please click here. And many thanks to everyone who has been following the special health guidelines while using the Refuge trails during the COVID-19 epidemic. We want all our visitors and restoration staff to stay healthy!

EMIQUON: Basically, go to the launch. General information at http://experienceemiquon.com/sites/default/files/LakeAccessRules.pdf.

SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing.

DuPAGE RIVER

A smallmouth bass from the DuPage River. Photo provided by Brian Athern.

A smallmouth bass from the DuPage River.

Provided by Brian Athern

Brian Athern emailed the photo above and this on Thursday:

Creek was a bust, it flows east to west and rains muddied it. DuPage was decent. 2 on topwater, lost 1. Got 1 on weighted keeper jig and twin tail grub under the bridge. Fished with my buddy Jerry from Joliet. Brian

We had been planning to creek fish on Thursday, but I had to bail.

FOX RIVER

Fox River walleye. Photo provided by Freddy Castrejon

Fox River walleye.

Photo provided by Freddy Castrejon

Freddy Castrejon messaged the wonderful photo above and this on Wednesday:

24 inch walleye caught and release on the fox river in Batavia IL today before sunset

On Thursday in downtown Geneva, Matt Dlouhy messaged the photo below and this:

On the fox today! No weight or length it was an after work special. Hit a swim bait on 8lb test. What a fight. I was shaking

Fox River flathead. Photo provided by Matt Dlouhy

Fox River flathead.

Photo provided by Matt Dlouhy

GENEVA LAKE, WISCONSIN

Arden Katz said fish are in their summer patterns with big schools of panfish in 23-18 feet, best on spikes on two-jig rigs; and smallmouth and largemouth are in 20-22 feet off secondary points on drop-shots or try in 8-12 feet off flats with a wacky worm; water was 74 degrees.

Dave Duwe emailed:

Lake Geneva 6/29/20 through 7/6/20 Fishing remains very consistent. There are still a lot of fish being caught. Covid -19 has really intensified the Boat traffic around the lake. Largemouth bass fishing has been very good. The bass have been located in the weed lines in 12-13 ft. of water. The fish can be readily taken by either drop-shotting with small plastics, green pumpkins and small shiner color are the best or by nightcrawlers drifted with a small split shot. Early mornings and late afternoons when the lake calms down, top water baits have been very effective. I prefer the chrome and blue chug bug. The best location has been by Trinkes or in Williams Bay. Many people last week caught limits of nice bass. Smallmouth bass can still be caught. They are becoming more nomadic. I have been catching them in several spots and in several depth ranges. I have not found where they are consistently schooled. Most of the bass I caught last week were 15 inches and larger. The best depth seems to be 12-15 ft. of water. Locations that have produced the most fish are by Knollwood, Rainbow Point and the beach in Fontana. Once the green algae dies off, the best approach for the smallmouth is Carolina rigging on the break line. Arkie crawling grubs or Kalin’s grubs are the most productive. I prefer a leader lench of at least 24 inches. Northern pike fishing has been slow. The northerns are just starting to move out to the weed line. By the end of this week, the fish should be positioned on the 27 ft. weed line. Lindy rigs fished with chubs will produce all the action. The best locations are on the east side of Williams Bay and in the narrows. Crappies are being caught in 15 ft. of water in the moored sailboats by Conference Point. As always the best bait is smoke colored tube baits or slip bobber fished minnows. Most of the fish are averaging 12-13 inches. Rock Bass and Bluegills are still being caught all over the lake. Nightcrawlers fished on the split shot rig produce most of the action. The best depth has been 8-15 ft. of water. My best location has been by Coleman’s Point drifting to Knollwood. Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063.

GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN

T.J. Zimmerman, 13, with a Big Green Lake smallmouth bass caught with a Ned Rig. Provided by Mike Norris

T.J. Zimmerman, 13, with a Big Green Lake smallmouth bass caught with a Ned Rig.

Provided by Mike Norris

Guide Mike Norris emailed:

Fishing Report 06/29/2020 Mike Norris Big Green Lake – Water clarity on Big Green has vastly improved and the bite is on. My clients are catching anywhere from 26 to 40 bass per six-hour outing. Senkos, tubes, ned rigs, dropshots and swim jigs are all working well. With the arrival of hot weather this week we are entering the summer peak and I am looking the bite to continue to be strong. Try fishing weedy and rocky areas in 6 to 12 ft of water. Fox Lake (Dodge County) – I have shifted most of my guide trips to Big Green Lake, but Fox Lake should not be overlooked. A below average weed growth here this year has created fishing opportunities I have not seen in prior years. Finding the isolated weed beds that have taken root is the key to success on Fox Lake. Walleyes, largemouth bass, and northern pike are packing into these isolated weedy areas and the fish are competing for anything that looks edible. Chatterbaits are still a good choice but swim jigs worked through submergent vegetation is starting to dominate the catches. Bluegills are done spawning and can be found in the weedy areas. Crappies have move out of shoreline areas and are suspending in the middle of the lake. Phone me at 630-842-8199 to book a guided fishing trip or contact me through my website at www.comecatchsmallmouth.com

GREEN/STURGEON BAYS, WISCONSIN

Click here for the Wisconsin DNR weekly report.

Lance LaVine at Howie’s Tackle in Sturgeon Bay emailed this:

Hey fellas….here is a quick update Fishing out on the big lake has been very good as of late with some giant Kings getting caught on a daily basis. 90 to 160 feet of water has been the best depths, fishing the top 90 feet of the water column. Flasher and Howie flies have been the best for the Salmon, but a mix of spoons and meat rigs also working. Along with the Kings, a very good number of Rainbows are also biting. Bright colored spoons run in the top 30 feet of the water column has been the best for that also. Perch fishing is starting to get going better now that the weed are starting to grow more. Sturgeon Bay, Sawyer Harbor, Little Sturgeon and Riley’s Bay all good areas to try. Minnows, crawler pieces and leaf worms have been the best baits Bass fishing has been better in recent weeks which we figured it would after a bit of slow down. The bass are starting to push a little deeper as they usually do this time of year. 8 to 15 feet has been the best depth as of late. Best baits include…Howie’s Shorty tubes, spy baits, senkos, spinner baits and paddle tails just to name a few Thanks; Lance LaVine Howie’s Tackle 1309 Green Bay Rd Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 Ph: 920-746-9916

HEIDECKE LAKE

The former cooling lake near Morris is open daily 6 a.m. to sunset.

ILLINOIS RIVER

See note at top about lock schedules.

Illinois River bowfin. Provided by Jared Gibbs

Illinois River bowfin.

Provided by Jared Gibbs

Jared Gibbs messaged the photo above of a 10-pound bowfin caught from a backwater.

KANKAKEE RIVER

George Peters emailed his granddaughter for FOTW and added:

We caught several with craws visiable down their throats. G. Peters

He also added:

Giant snapping turtle ( at least 30 in diameter) largest I have ever seen in Illinois. 2 ft. Of kkk water. G. Peters

Kankakee River snapping turtle. Photo provided by George Peters

Kankakee River snapping turtle.

Photo provided by George Peters

He wasn’t kidding, That is a hulk.

LAKE ERIE

Seamus Hanley with a good walleye on Lake Erie. Photo provided by Joe McCartin.

Seamus Hanley with a good walleye on Lake Erie.

Photo provided by Joe McCartin.

Joe McCartin found the excellent walleye action is just keeping on going with good fish two days with one blow day last week.

Click here for the Ohio DNR Report.

LAKEFRONT

Officially the lakefront remains closed; however, many people have been walking or biking in and fishing; cars are generally prevented from entering the lakefront. Parking passes are not being sold for the fisherman’s parking lots.

Smallmouth bass on Calumet Harbor with Chicago skyline. Photo provided by Mike Joho

Smallmouth bass on Calumet Harbor with Chicago skyline.

Photo provided by Mike Joho

Mike Joho emailed the photo above and this:

Hello Dale, fished Calumet harbor yesterday. I usually park right there but came up Cal-Sag through locks. Got rained on & left as soon as we saw lightening. Friends in another boat did better than my friend & I, getting largemouths in river & more smallies on big lake than us. We boated a few, best about 3#. I love catching smallmouth with beautiful skyline in background. Keep up the good work. Mike Joho

He is absolutely right about the skyline in the background with smallmouth photos.

Capt. Bob Poteshman of Confusion Charters said there is very good fishing for big coho and a couple kings and steelhead in 50-60 feet off Navy Pier and south; also fish in same depths off Highland Park; out of North Point, lakers are best deep (150-250) and coho are in close (50-70).

“Good solid fishing,” he said. “Lot of nice cohos around, that is the big thing,”

Capt. Scott Wolfe emailed:

Hi Dale Waukegan fishing has been excellent. Limits most trips. Coho continue to predominate the catch with occasional kings, steelhead, and lake trout. Stable weather has held the fish in 50 to 110 feet of water. Best rigs were the exact same line-up as I reported last week. Boards with keel weights running 00 red Luhr-Jensen dodgers and Jimmy Flys in Scottie or Spectra patterns, slide divers and lead cores with Stubby Dodgers with Jimmy Fly Green Pearl patterns, downriggers running bright colored Warrior Spoons in Flutter and Flutter XL in Pink Alewife, Steelhead Candy, Orange Killer and Half-time patterns. Wire divers with Musselhead Tackle Corn Fed Flashers and Smokin Fish or Jimmy Flys in Bullfrog and Aqua. Capt. Scott Wolfe School Of Fish Charters schooloffishcharters.com 630-341-0550

LaSALLE LAKE

The cooling lake, south of Seneca, is open daily 6 a.m. to sunset.

MADISON LAKES, WISCONSIN

Click here for the update from D&S Bait.

MAZONIA

Lakes are open daily for fishing 6 a.m. to sunset.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

Christian Howe emailed for Vilas County/Eagle River:

Dale, For the Wednesday paper if needed; The Leech bite(XL is best if you can find them) is officially on for walleye. Weed edges that but up to sand or gravel flats are best under a lighted slip bobber about 1.5-2ft off the bottom. Look for active fish as they are on the move with the water warming. #9-10 Perch or shiner husky jerks trolled over cabbage beds from about dusk are taking fish too. Crappie and bluegill were caught deep, 14+feet but they were hungry....or mad and fast action. When you catch crappie on crawlers, let alone a few limits it’s something to remember. Some still had eggs (Gills and crappie). Bass bite is picking up shallow. Plastics and shallow cranks working well. A 40+ Musky chased a 11 perch My son had on up to the boat.....What a thrill!! Spraking of Perch, they were on the mud flats and deep weeds taking worms, leeches, tube jigs, almost anything when located. Two trips down, at least two more for the summer to Go. Thanks for your time

Muskies and kids make the wonderful stories.

Kurt Justice at Kurt’s Island Sport Shop in Minocqua emailed:

As June is coming to a close, most variables for fisher people are behind us also. Should be a steady time during July to pattern fish. Most all hexogenia (Mayfly species) have hatched, most bedding concluded or finishing up, and water temps typically have a slow, warming incline from here on out. Despite that, God gave fish fins, so they swim about and don’t always stay put. Personally, a hot bite I had on Thursday was nonexistent Friday so I had to go searching again! Largemouth Bass: Very Good – Inside weed lines, pockets in cabbage. Pitching creature baits, Wacky worms and 7 Power worms Texas style. Chatter baits and pre-rigged plastic worms over cabbage tops. It’s the right time for top water action using Hula Poppers, Jitterbugs, Plastic Frogs, Spiders and tail baits such as Whopper Ploppers! Surface temps in the low 70’s and climbing should provide lots of early and late top water action. Walleye: Good – Hard to pin down day to day, gotta keep moving to stay on…. Mornings, afternoons using leeches on 1/16 oz weedless jigs in 7-10’ cabbage and coontail edges. Flowage Eyes in 14-17’ wood. Evenings on off shore humps taking XL leeches, crawlers or chubs – after dark bite good on XL leeches below lighted slip-floats. Crappie: Good – Work weed tops of 8-12’ depth using Gapen Freshwater Shrimp, 1 Twister tails or Mini Mites below small floats or just twitching or shivering in place. Same with a 1/32 oz jig and minnow. Northern Pike: Good – Action on bladed baits (bucktails or spinner baits) chatter baits and 4 swim baits. When morning action slows, soak a sucker or chub late morning. 39 ½ C&R this past week, more reports of low 30 fish being caught. Bluegill: Good – Small leeches, thunderbugs, worms in shallows. Fly fishermen doing very well with poppers in the evenings Smallmouth Bass: Good – Anglers twitching X-Raps, Husky Jerks in 10-14’ finding active, suspended fish. Evening around docks and trees in water on top water. Coontail edges of 12-18’ using Z-Man Ned Rigs or drop shotting 3 Gulp Minnows. Yellow Perch: Good – Most Perch caught while fishing other species in weeds of 8-12’ using minnows, leeches, crawlers. Musky: Good – Good reports coming from anglers using top water baits and large spinner baits. Still a few catching Skies on suckers (guide Jake Smith with 2 last week), but with water temps rising, keeping sucker alive may get tough! Looks to be a hot 4th of July weekend coming up, as well as dry (If forecasters can be believed…my girlfriend still believes in weathermen…how cute!) Temps almost to 90 degrees will probably require very early and very late prime time due to heat, sun and boaters. Have a Great & Happy 4th of July America!! Kurt Justice Kurt’s Island Sport Shop Like us on FaceBook

NORTHWEST INDIANA

Joe McCartin texted that Seamus Hanley has been doing well out of East Chicago for salmon in relatively close.

Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted:

Perch going good outside of burns ditch just outside muddling in 25 ft of water baby roach best bait Perch also from donut to mt baldy just west of Michigan city 25 to 35 again baby roach and drifting best lots of nice perch last couple days Salmon and trout fishing continues to be solid from west of the ditch to straight out of Michigan city 70 to 11o ft of water fish all over dodger flys and mid size spoons best fished 20 ft down to bottom and everywhere in between Catfish good at nite on sonnys stinkbait at portage river walk Steelhead on Michigan city peir and portage river walk hit or miss shrimp or crawlers under floats best way to catch them

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said perch are going in 30-40 feet, north and south of St. Joseph; an occasional steelhead ( a 15 34-pounder was weighed in Tuesday morning) off the St. Joe pier; river is high; mostly lakers with a few coho on Lake Michigan in 120 and deeper.

SHABBONA LAKE

Staff at Lakeside said fishing has been a little tougher, but catfish (bait on the bottom) and largemouth (weed lines) are the strongest bites; there’s some walleye on rock piles and northeast weed lines; a good muskie was caught over the weekend.

Site hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lakeside (6 a.m.-7 p.m.) is open with boat rentals (6:30 a.m.-6 p.m.). Pokanoka’s Cafe is open seven days with limited-menu takeout. The camp store is open 5-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, noon-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m.-noon Sunday.

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